By James Sablan
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
TEAM Trench Tech delivered on its mission, hauling in a total of seven medals at the 2026 Copa de Marianas on Guam last Saturday.
Team Trench Tech was composed of four athletes: Vince “The Clinch” Masga, Uma Naputi, Athena Feger, and Gerard Naputi.
In a display of relentless pressure and technical mastery, Masga captured the gold medal in the lightweight division.
The championship bout was a high-level chess match that tested both Masga’s gas tank and tactical precision. Over the course of a full eight-minute battle, he outscored his opponent, 19–2.
Masga’s path to victory was paved with technical proficiency. Throughout the match, he consistently secured takedowns and transitioned smoothly into high-scoring positions, including mount and side control. While his opponent proved to be a high-level competitor — escaping deep submission attempts such as a dangerous omoplata and multiple armbar setups — Masga never let up the pressure.
“I came in more than ready and left it all on the mat,” Masga said following his victory. “We achieved our goal of getting gold for the CNMI.”
Despite the dominant performance, the victory was bittersweet for Masga. He was unable to enter the open weight (absolute) division after sustaining a wrist sprain during his championship match, forcing event medics to stop his competition for the day.
“The medic called it,” Masga noted. Still, he remained in high spirits regarding the team’s overall performance, adding, “This year’s experience was a great one.”
A community of support
The win was not just a personal milestone for Masga but a victory for the entire Trench Tech family.
“First, I would like to thank God; my parents, Vicente and Antonia Aldan; my wife, Isa Marie; my family near and far; my coaches — Professors Cuki Alvarez, Clinton Dela Cruz, and Anthony Torres; my strength and conditioning coach, Angel San Nicolas; my teammates and friends; and my sponsors, Trench Tech Gym, Rocksteady Shop 670, Kast Culture Pro Shop Guam, James Choi for Mobil, Felix Palacios from Triple J Motors, and GetFit CNMI. Thank you to everyone who supported my journey to Guam,” Masga said.
Joining Masga were Trench Tech’s youth athletes, who also delivered strong medal performances.
Fifteen-year-old Gerard Naputi won double gold in the juvenile grey belt division, while 9-year-old Uma Naputi earned double silver in the kids grey belt division. Seven-year-old Athena Feger rounded out the results with a silver and bronze medal in the kids 6–7 division.
James Sablan has been a sports reporter for Variety since 2013. He was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College and covers all local sports.
